NZ criticised at international climate change talks

The National Government should listen to
criticism at climate change talks in Doha and sign up to
binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
Green Party climate change spokesperson Kennedy Graham
said.

“New Zealand is letting down our Pacific
neighbours and other small island states by refusing to
continue with binding commitments under the Kyoto
Protocol,” Dr Graham, who is at the talks, said.

“At a session yesterday the Alliance of Small Island
States said it ‘deeply regretted’ the decision by few
developed countries who had decided not to continue.

“Blocking those countries, including New Zealand, from
being able to access to carbon markets or Kyoto carbon
credits was debated.

“The small island states
understand what the National Government is trying to do –
not make binding commitments but continue to benefit from
the work of other countries.

“New Zealand prides
itself on leading the charge on behalf of Pacific small
island states. We see ourselves as a Pacific nation. We
devote the overwhelming proportion of our aid to our island
neighbours. Increasing numbers of our population are
Pasifika. And then we pull the plug on them with our climate
policy, receiving criticism at the UN. What a bizarre way
to conduct diplomacy!”

“It is not too late to
reverse position and announce we shall join the Europeans
and take on a second commitment, just as Australia is doing.
What kind of warped trading mentality prompts us to turn
away from our obligations to our children at this critical
moment?

“Joining Kyoto-2 in response to the pleas of
our island neighbours in our region would be taken as an act
of courage and leadership, not weakness,” Dr Graham
said.

“The appeal from the small island states came
immediately after a remarkable, emotional appeal from the
Philippines delegation leader, to Ministers to strike a
visionary and ambitious deal at Doha over the next 24
hours.

“The Philippine leader spoke for his
compatriots killed by the tragic storm of the past few days.
‘Have we done enough for the youth here at Doha?’

“His voice breaking, the ambassador sent an urgent
appeal, not as a leader, not as a negotiator, but as a
Filipino, on behalf of 7 billion people. ‘I appeal to
ministers: no more delays, no more excuses. Turn things
around at Doha. Let 2012 be the year the world found its
courage.’

“In the same vein I appeal to John Key
to turn our decision around, and let 2012 be the year that
New Zealand found the courage to act on climate change,”
Dr Graham said.

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